Walking for Democracy

The Time is Now

Democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. It is crucial to oppose their actions visibly, in as many ways as possible. Walking for Democracy provides a simple structure for those who want to express their opposition in ways that otherwise would not reach people outside their circle of friends, acquaintances, or people of like mind.

This website suggests ways you can show opposition by walking, or by building actions onto walking to highlight your opposition. And there are suggestions for message sheets that can be copied or used as examples for creating your own materials for distribution.

Walking for Democracy has no sign up, no membership, no formal organization, no fundraising. It is meant to be a do-it-yourself effort, alone or with friends, on your own time, at your own pace, in ways that make sense to you.

If you also want to be more connected to this effort, request to be on our email list. The list will be used only to provide further suggestions for message sheets as they are developed, and to poll walkers about priorities for messaging.

Here's a link to an extensive list of other actions you can take, put together by Gathering for Democracy: List of actions/ways to get involved, start here:

Here's what you'll find if you click on Pages (above) or scroll below:

**Options for walking, from basic to add-ons

**Logos that can be used for print material or T-shirts

For custom printed T-shirts with Walking for Democracy logos, contact Jason at PrintLEX, (859-272-7014)

**Examples of types of handouts to use or modify

Walking Options: (Basic (1), with add-ons (2-5)

1) Just walk with a homemade visible identifier that says Walking for Democracy.

This is the simplest thing to do. Make your own design on a stick-on name tag or T-shirt. Use it when you are out taking a walk or going about your business. It's a quiet way to let people know you are concerned about threats to our democracy and willing to show that concern visibly. This is not meant to replace other actions you may already be taking. Walk alone, or with friends, or with a group you are part of.

2) While walking, or before, or after, post about your walk on one or more social media platforms. Use #WalkingforDemocracy. Include the link to this website.

This is a way to expand your visibility and encourage others to consider this way of showing their concern.

3) While walking, talk with people you run into about why you are walking.

Personal testimony is powerful. For those who share your views, it is reinforcing. For others, it is information otherwise not available to them that may help them understand a different view.

4) Make copies of one or more of the message sheets below, or make your own message sheets for distribution as you walk, or for posting on social media.

This is a more direct way to get potentially alternative information to people.

5) Ring doorbells to talk with people about why you are walking, and to ask about the effects of recent governmental actions on them and people they know.

If you choose to print and distribute information, here are some suggestions for different kinds of one-page message sheets to use or modify.

Make a message sheet focused on one point

I am walking for democracy because I believe our democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. Here is an action I am most concerned about, and how it affects me and those I know.

Action:

With no prior warning or notice, the administration has illegally cancelled existing contracts and halted payments for AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteer programs throughout the country.

Affects:

Locally, that means that many people's lives have suddenly been uprooted and the services they were performing for our community are in jeopardy, as are the very existence of the non-profit programs that have sponsored their work and benefitted from it. I know some of the volunteers, and I have been a community volunteer or financial supporter of a number of the non-profit organizations that have been negatively affected by these illegal contract cancelations.

Make a message sheet with general bullet points

I am walking for democracy because I believe our democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. Here are some actions by the present administration that I am most concerned about.

Through anti-democratic orders, legislation and threats, they are cancelling hard-won civil rights wins and removing accurate history from easy access.
They are attacking DEI initiatives by characterizing them unfairly and too broadly, and by cancelling funding or eliminating them.
They are illegally cancelling contracts and grants for research and service programs.
They are using the Department of Justice and other agencies to attack the independence of public and private universities.
They are illegally coercing law firms for perceived failures to support the administration.
They are cutting present operating budgets for a host of federal agencies without required congressional authorization.
They are deporting immigrants without due process.

Make a message sheet with a personal perspective

I am walking for democracy because I believe our democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. Here are ways those actions affect me personally.

• My son has lost his job at a national park.

• The farmers' market I shop at is losing farm-to-table support.

• The non-profit I volunteer with has lost funding for their two VISTA workers.

• My immigrant friends have become fearful for their safety.

Make a message sheet with references

I am walking for democracy because I believe our democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. One action by the present administration that I am most concerned about is that they are cutting operating budgets for a host of federal agencies without required congressional authorization.

One example is the cuts to the Food and Drug Administration. As a result, we have to worry more about food safety. The Trump administration says no actual food inspectors will be laid off, but “Spending freezes and cuts to administrative staff have reportedly made it more difficult for FDA inspectors to travel to farms, and for them to purchase sample products in grocery stores for testing.”

And if there is an outbreak of foodborne illness, how will we know about it in time to avoid the tainted food? FDA employees responsible for briefing national news outlets during outbreaks have been fired.

This Information is from “Now Is Not the Time to Eat Bagged Lettuce: Food safety in America is under attack.” By Nicholas Florko The Atlantic. May 7, 2025.

Make a message sheet with information about ways to express opposition

I am walking for democracy because I believe our democracy and the rule of law are under attack by the very people who have sworn to uphold them. I am writing/calling/email my Congressman to express opposition to_________________. I am also planning to support or to be at these events to join with others to express my opposition: _____________________________________________________

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